Supporting the holistic wellness of young children and their families is Sarah Bassett’s calling. Inspired by passion and purpose, the ̽̽ senior has been making her mark in communities across in the greater Burlington area over the past four years.
“Sarah is a talented pre-service educator who has enormous potential as an agent of positive change,” says Senior Lecturer Lauren MacKillop. “She is deeply committed to inclusive early childhood education, anti-bias curriculum, and all issues of social justice. Sarah is an extraordinary force of goodness.”
On April 13, Bassett received the Student Leadership in Community-Engaged Learning Award at the CELO Awards reception held in ̽̽’s John Dewey Lounge. It was a fitting setting, considering Dewey’s well-known “learn by doing” mantra, as Bassett’s resume showcases an impressive range of field experiences in a variety of educational settings.
“Each of the experiences in the field allowed me put my learning into practice on a daily basis, supporting my growth as a teacher and helping me open doors in the field,” says the four-year Presidential Scholarship recipient who grew up in Newton, Massachusetts. “I formed meaningful relationships with children and families as well as mentors and professionals in the field.”
Bassett currently works as full-time student teaching intern in a first-grade classroom at Orchard Elementary School in South Burlington under the mentorship of Margo Antonioli. She previously gained experience as a student teacher with a classroom of second graders at Allen Brook Elementary School last fall. In August of 2020, she took on employment as essential worker during the pandemic, serving as an early childhood educator with toddlers and preschoolers at the Greater Burlington YMCA where she still works part-time.
“Being there to provide that wraparound support for young children and families during some of the most transformative years of their lives is what makes early childhood education so special,” says Bassett, who recently accepted a first-grade teaching position at Mater Christi School in Burlington. “We’re not just teaching lessons. We are with them for extended periods of time. We get to know them, and we get to make an impact on them during years that really matter.”
A love of teaching runs in the family. Her father is a high school teacher and her mother is a college professor. She knew early on that she wanted to follow in their footsteps. “I spent a lot of time in my childhood watching my dad teach, and I just loved it," she recalls. "I wanted to be just like him. When I was 12 or 13, I started assistant teaching at my dance studio, and everything just started to click for me. I realized how much I love working with younger people.” After graduating from high school, she decided to take a gap year before college, utilizing the time to work at a local Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool and continuing her teaching role at the dance studio.
Inspirational Mentors
Through coursework and practical experiences, many have contributed to her development as an educator since arriving at ̽̽, Bassett says. “My advisor Kaitie Northey, who I’ve had five classes with, has always been there for me as the most supportive person throughout my entire experience. She is always there for me when I need help or advice. And she is an incredible professor. We are lucky because she cares so much not only about the field of early childhood education, but also about us as people. I love Tuesday afternoons in our senior seminar class with Kaitie. She fosters a great sense of community as we chat about our student teaching experiences in the field.”
MacKillop’s teaching and mentorship were also pivotal. Serving as an early childhood civic learning teaching assistant for the past four semesters in EDEC 001 Introduction to Early Care and Education course, Bassett developed strong relationships with field partners at the Greater Burlington YMCA, MacKillop says, along with innovative ideas and energy to create a bridge between the classroom and the community.
“Mentor teachers, directors, and even an elementary school principal describe her as looking and functioning like a seasoned teacher well before her time,” says MacKillop. “They recognize her as gifted, while also holding an image of herself as a perpetual learner, always eager to reflect and improve upon her practice.”
Leadership and Service
Wherever she is, Bassett has a reputation for taking on increasing leadership roles. Inspired by her passion for holistic child health, Bassett served as a director and executive board member of , ̽̽'s chapter of Children's Miracle Network Dance Marathon, a year-long fundraising and awareness campaign for the ̽̽ Children's Hospital. Hitting the student-led organization’s long-time fundraising goal at this year’s event was a moment she will never forget.
“We have always wanted to break the $100,000 mark at our annual event, and this year we hit our goal,” she explains. “We raised over $102,000. At midnight when we revealed our numbers, we didn’t know until we held it up for everyone to see. That moment is something that will stick with me forever because it was so much pride for the team. We had patients and families there celebrating with us. It felt incredible to know that we made such big impact in the local community. People I worked with on RALLYTHON have become some of my best friends. To finish off my time in that organization on such a high note was one of the best moments of my college career.”
A longtime dancer, Bassett serves as the vice president of , ̽̽'s all-inclusive dance company. Helping to develop the club from its inception was an effort to promote greater accessibility and belonging. “On a campus of over 10,000 students, there was no ‘audition-free’ dance club, and we wanted to change that," she says. "I think that dance is for every body, and there should be more spaces where all students feel welcome and able to join together.” Dance Force includes 200 members and ran its first show on April 15 at Patrick Gymnasium.
Serving on the CESS Student Advisory Board for the past four years, Bassett provided representation on behalf of educator preparation programs and collaborated with a subcommittee striving to enhance high impact practices in the college. The board's ongoing efforts contribute to improving quality and equity for students across field experiences as well as increasing mental health supports, wellbeing activities, and successful transition for first-year students.
With a decision made on where her post-̽̽ teaching career will begin, Bassett is ready to embrace the special moments leading up to Commencement weekend.
“̽̽ is such a special place. Everyone is welcome here. And I feel so lucky to have stumbled upon the early childhood education program. We have such a nurturing relationship with our professors. This program shaped me as a human and introduced me to my best friends. As someone who will be graduating soon, I think about my choice to come here, and it was hands down one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.”
